A communication satellite is in orbit around Earth at a height of 500 km. Due to air resistance, the satellite's orbit is decaying at a rate of 5 km per year. Calculate the time it will take for the satellite to re-enter Earth's atmosphere.
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To solve this problem, we need to calculate how long it will take for the satellite's orbit to decay by 500 km (the height at which it is currently orbiting).
Given that the satellite's orbit is decaying at a rate of 5 km per year, we can calculate the time it will take for it to decay by 500 km by using the formula:
Time = Change in Orbit Height / Decay Rate
Substituting the given values:
Time = 500 km / 5 km/year
Time = 100 years
Therefore, it will take the satellite 100 years to re-enter Earth's atmosphere.
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